President John Dramani Mahama has announced the release of $150 million to finance dredging and other critical drainage works across the country as part of efforts to reduce flooding and strengthen Ghana's resilience to climate-related disasters.

The President disclosed this on Friday, July 10, 2026, during an inspection of the Alajo Drains in Accra as part of the ongoing two-day National Clean-Up Exercise, which ends on Saturday, July 11.

President Mahama said the funding, released by the Minister of Finance, would support the dredging of streams and the rehabilitation of drainage systems to minimise the devastating impact of floods, particularly in vulnerable communities.

He described the June 29 floods as a "wake-up call" for Ghanaians, urging citizens to adopt responsible waste disposal habits and help protect the country's drainage infrastructure.

"One, we must change our attitudes and stop the reckless dumping of things into the drain. The drains are not garbage instruments. If you want to dispose of something, you know how to dispose of it," the President said.

President Mahama expressed concern over the volume of waste removed from the Alajo drain, a section of the Odaw stream, including plastics, silt, household refuse, engine blocks, old furniture and dining tables, warning that such practices continue to worsen flooding in urban areas.

Beyond the immediate clean-up campaign, he announced plans to institutionalise a monthly national clean-up exercise to revive the culture of communal environmental sanitation. He added that the Ghana Armed Forces would continue drainage-clearing operations after the exercise and would be supported with specialised equipment to remove and transport silt from major drains.

"We must show that we are a resilient nation and we can bounce back even better," President Mahama stated, encouraging Ghanaians to take proactive steps to keep their communities clean instead of waiting until disaster strikes.

Joining the President during the inspection were Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Ocloo and Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong. Through its flagship waste management company, Zoomlion Ghana Limited, the Jospong Group deployed heavy machinery and personnel to support the nationwide clean-up exercise.

Speaking to journalists, Dr. Siaw Agyepong called for stricter enforcement of sanitation bye-laws, stressing that investments in waste management infrastructure must be matched by effective supervision and compliance. He urged authorities to clamp down on illegal dumping and ensure that all waste, including that collected by commercial operators, is transported to designated transfer stations.

The National Clean-Up Exercise forms part of the government's broader strategy to improve sanitation, prevent flooding and promote greater public participation in environmental management through stronger collaboration between government, the private sector and citizens.